beacon
Signal for navigators
A beacon is a light or fire set up to signal or guide—historically on hilltops to warn of danger or on coastlines to warn ships.
The word extends to radio transmitters that broadcast signals for navigation.
Figuratively, a beacon is anything that offers guidance or hope: a beacon of democracy, Her work became a beacon for young activists.
Signal-emitting device
- radioElectromagnetic wave receiver
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- wirelessUntethered signal transmission
satellite · broadcast · wavelength · transponder · relay · transmission · radar · homing
Coastal beacon tower
- harborSafe anchorage for ships
- coastlineLand-water boundary
- maritimeOf the sea
- seafaringTraveling by ocean vessel
shoreline · cliff · lamp · foghorn · lantern · tower · headland · pier
Large outdoor fire
- hilltopApex of a knoll
- torchHandheld burning light source
- flameBurning gas made visible
- blazeIntense burning fire
pyre · watchtower · summit · smoke · kindling · ancient · medieval · alarm
Visible electromagnetic radiation
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
- promiseCommitment to act
- salvationDeliverance from harm
shining · ray · glimmer · darkness · faith · optimism · encouragement · reassurance
Leading toward destination
- directionWay something faces
- lodestarCelestial navigation reference
- polestarAxis-aligned navigational celestial body
- landmarkNotable point of reference
waypoint · reference · marker · indicator · signpost · orientation · pathfinder · trailblazer
transmitter
Signal-emitting device
wireless · satellite · broadcast · wavelength · transponder · relay · transmission · radar · homing · locator
lighthouse
Coastal beacon tower
seafaring · shoreline · cliff · lamp · foghorn · lantern · tower · headland · pier · jetty
bonfire
Large outdoor fire
blaze · pyre · watchtower · summit · smoke · kindling · ancient · medieval · alarm · invasion
light
Visible electromagnetic radiation
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
- promiseCommitment to act
salvation · shining · ray · glimmer · darkness · faith · optimism · encouragement · reassurance · comfort
guiding
Leading toward destination
- directionWay something faces
- lodestarCelestial navigation reference
- polestarAxis-aligned navigational celestial body
landmark · waypoint · reference · marker · indicator · signpost · orientation · pathfinder · trailblazer · wayfinding
- ancient communicationsmoke signal, hieroglyphs, carrier pigeon, pictographs, pictograms
- rescuerescue, rescue team, search and rescue, rescue dog, save
- signalssignal, signals, signaling, sign, waved
- trackerslocation tracker, pet tracker, car tracker, phone tracker, fitness tracker
- light displayslight shows, light show, laser show, laser shows, firework display
- airfieldsrunway, runways, hangar, hangars, control tower
beaconwill-o'-the-wisp
Misleading light over wetlands
misleader · decoy · false signal · red herring · siren
beacondespair
Total absence of hope
hopelessness · discouragement · warning · omen · dark cloud
- beacon lightNavigational warning light
- distress beaconDevice broadcasting location during emergencies
- radio beaconTransmitter broadcasting navigation signals
- beacon of hope
- homing beaconSignal for finding position
- emergency beaconRescue-summoning transmitter